CCS to hold prayer for Saeed

Fort Dodge school is helping jailed Christian and his family in Idaho

January 25, 2014

Community Christian School will come together Monday to support one its mission projects for the year with a prayer vigil and worship service for an American missionary imprisoned in Iran.

The School will hold "Indoors for Saeed," a time of worship, praise and prayer for Saeed Abedini, a pastor being held captive in Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran, for his Christian beliefs.

The service will be part of the CCS Saving Saeed efforts, the school's mission project for the 2013-2014 school year.

"We have adopted the Saeed family as our mission's project this year," said Margaret Shields, CCS dean of students.

The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the chapel area of the school, 2406 9 1/2 Ave. S.. It will feature a time of worship, prayer and music from the Community Christian students and the Fort Dodge Community Choir, under the direction of Sherry Washington.

"We just want to be able to have a time of prayer and worship and praise to honor Saeed and his family," Shields said.

Monday is the one-year anniversary of the date in which Saeed was wrongfully accused of being a national threat to Iran.

Saeed is an Iranian born United States citizen who was naturalized in 2010. He converted to Christianity in 2000 and started house churches. From 2009 until 2012 he traveled safely to Iran eight times from the U.S. to help build a government-approved orphanage in Rasht. In July 2012, he was placed under house arrest in his parent's home in Tehran for his efforts and he was taken to prison on Sept. 26, 2012, where he has reportedly endured multiple beatings and sustained injuries as a result.

Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, visited Fort Dodge during a 5k run/walk hosted by the school to raise funds for the family in September. The couple has two children, 7-year-old Rebekah and 5-year-old Jacob. They live in Boise, Idaho.

"We had the chance to meet his wife last fall when she visited Iowa," said Shields. "We have been raising money for his family, sent them some money for Christmas presents and mailed Saeed Christmas cards in prison."

A freewill offering will also be taken on Monday for the family.

The event is open to the public.

"We would really love to see the community come out and support Pastor Saeed a